Max Verstappen has revealed his difficulty securing victory at the F1 Japanese GP after a race long battle with McLaren.
Max Verstappen stunned the F1 paddock with a masterclass lap to take pole position on Saturday.
Lining up on the greasy track at the start owing to early morning rain, he pointed his car towards Lanod Norris at lights out.
Leading Norris into the first corner, he never surrendered track position to Norris during the race.
Despite a slow pit-stop for the Red Bull, he still emerged ahead of the McLaren, Norris taking to the grass on pit exit.
The closing stages became a game of cat and mouse, as Verstappen defended from Norris and Oscar Piastri’s second McLaren.
“Important” win for Max Verstappen at the F1 Japanese GP
Speaking in Parc Ferme after the race, Verstappen said tyre management was a critical factor in securing a race win.
“It was tough, you know, just pushing very hard, especially on the last set. You know, the two McLarens were pushing me very hard. And it was a lot of fun out there. Not easy, of course, to manage the tyres.
“But I’m incredibly happy. You know, it started off quite tough this weekend. But we didn’t give up.
We kept improving the car. And today it was in its best form. And, of course, starting on pole, that really made it possible, you know, to win this race.”
Interviewer James Hinchcliffe then asked about the importance of capitalising on opportunties to win, given McLaren’s pace advantage.
The gravity of his 64th victory was not lost on the reigning world champion. 2025 marks the final race Red Bull will be powered by Honda prior the team’s switch to Ford in 2026.
“It’s very important to always try to maximize your performance. And I think we did that very well this weekend.
“It means a lot to me. It was in the back of my mind as well. You know, in those last few laps, I was like, well, I need to try and stay ahead. That would be a great story.
“Our final, like, kind of farewell race together with Honda here in Japan. And I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved, of course, over all those years together. And I think this is like a perfect sendoff.”
